Supporting device for solar panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar panel support systems for water-based installations face issues with inter-module sagging and accumulation of floating debris, which complicates maintenance and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A supporting device featuring buoyant members with protrusions and props, coupled with a box-shaped connector system that includes wing parts and grooves, clamps, and ventilation holes to securely fix solar panels and prevent debris accumulation, ensuring stable positioning and easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If elastic fixing members are made as slide type members for easy installation, then installation ease is improved, but maintenance difficulty increases because operators cannot step on the connection member without causing sagging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection member is divided into multiple segments with individual fixing members for each solar module. This segmentation allows operators to access and maintain specific modules by stepping on connection members without affecting the entire structure, as each segment can be independently adjusted or accessed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing members are designed with localized adjustment mechanisms that allow operators to step on specific connection members without causing overall sagging. The local quality of each fixing member can be adjusted independently, maintaining stability in non-accessed areas while allowing access in specific locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If a closed airtight space is formed between the plastic case and water surface for buoyancy, then floating stability is improved, but floating matters accumulate therein causing maintenance issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloating stabilityVSAvoiddebris accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic case incorporates a flexible bottom wall that can deform to allow water and floating matters to pass through. This flexible membrane maintains the airtight space needed for buoyancy while preventing the accumulation of debris, as water and floating objects can move freely through the flexible portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful function of the closed space (debris accumulation) is extracted by introducing a flexible portion that allows water and floating matters to pass through. This creates an opening in the otherwise closed airtight space, eliminating the accumulation problem while preserving the buoyancy function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If connection members are designed to connect multiple buoyant members horizontally and vertically, then structural versatility is improved, but inter-module sagging occurs when operators step on the connection members

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural versatilityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connection member is segmented into multiple independent fixing members, each capable of supporting individual solar modules. This segmentation distributes the load and allows operators to step on connection members between modules without causing overall sagging, as each segment can independently support its adjacent modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing members incorporate dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow them to adapt to operator weight and maintain stable positioning. The elastic fixing members can dynamically adjust their tension and position to prevent sagging when operators step on the connection members during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution stabilizes solar panels, preventing sagging and debris accumulation, thereby enhancing maintenance accessibility and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a plastic case 2 composed of a bottom wall 3, an upper wall 4, and side walls 5, 6, 7, and 8, has a space including air therein so as to float on the water upon receiving buoyancy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP2884202B1Supporting device for solar panel
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 LSIS CO LTD
  • EP2884202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2884202B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP2884202B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic system and, more particularly, to a supporting device for a solar panel employed in a photovoltaic system. A supporting device for a solar panel includes a buoyant member (10) including an upper body (11) in which a plurality of protrusions (12) are formed upwardly and first (13) and second (14) props are formed on the protrusions (12) to prop a solar panel (30), respectively, and a lower body (20) in which a wing part (21) is formed to be protruded from the side thereof and a lower surface (22) is formed to be protruded downwardly, and a connector (40) formed to have a box shape and connecting the buoyant member (10) to another buoyant member (10) in a vertical direction or horizontal direction, wherein the buoyant member (10) is coupled to the connector (40) when the wing parts (21) are coupled to the connector (40).